Value

HOW TO VALUE YOUR CONCERTINA

The following discussion offers guidance on how you might estimate the approximate value of your musical instrument. Please note, however, that only a professional appraisal can provide a definitive valuation.

Determining the value of a Chemnitzer concertina is not a simple task. Many factors influence an instrument’s worth. For example, a mass-produced 76-key concertina made in the early 1900s with double reeds (two reeds sounding for each button pressed) is likely to be far less valuable than a modern, custom-built 104-key concertina equipped with specially tuned quadruple reeds, a high-fidelity internal microphone, and reed shifts for multiple voices. Vintage instruments may appeal to collectors or nostalgic musicians, while more advanced players often prefer modern instruments—greatly increasing their market value.

The brand or manufacturer of your concertina also plays a major role. Some builders used superior materials, designs, and tuning methods, producing instruments that are easier to play, sound better, and are therefore sought after by experienced Chemnitzer players.

Because there are many variables, evaluating a concertina’s worth can be challenging. Its overall playing condition is a key factor. Consider the following questions:

• Do all buttons and reeds operate properly?
• Does the bellows hold air without leaks? (Try suspending the instrument from one handle to check.)
• Is the exterior finish in good shape—free of chips, cracks, or missing pieces?
• Is the bellows leather supple and undamaged?
• Are there any musty or mildew odors?
• Are all reeds well-tuned?

Depending on these conditions, your concertina could be worth a thousand dollars or more. However, defects—sometimes only detectable by an experienced player or technician—can reduce its value significantly.

Valuing vintage instruments is particularly difficult. Many are cherished for their charm and nostalgia rather than their musical performance. Earlier Chemnitzers typically lack the sound quality and mechanics preferred by today’s professionals and serious hobbyists, though exceptional older models do exist.

It’s important to remember that proper appraisal requires hands-on evaluation—seeing, hearing, and even “feeling” the instrument. Concertinas, like other vintage free-reed, bellows-driven instruments, are organic creations made from wood, leather, and paperboard. These materials are highly sensitive to environmental conditions. Prolonged exposure to moisture, dryness, heat, or cold can cause lasting damage. Instruments stored in basements, attics, garages, or porches—or those unused for many years—may have internal issues even if they appear fine on the outside. Repairs, when needed, can be very expensive.

If you’d like to compare your instrument to others currently for sale, visit the community-supported Facebook Group. Listings there can give you a general sense of fair market prices, but be sure to compare similar brands, features, and conditions.

As for vintage sheet music, most pieces have limited resale value. Decorative or collectible editions may interest some buyers, especially if they have appealing covers or are in excellent condition. However, photocopied or handwritten arrangements are typically shared freely among musicians and hold little to no value.